Kawasaki Sportsbike Riders Club - Australia - Online Forum

Hey guy's,

Daft question time.

Can i remove the clutch from the bike and idle it, to check for a specific noise, without causing any damage???

I'm of the opinion that i can do it but thought i'd better ask before i do it and royally fuck something right up.

Considering oil will be pumped into the clutch basket area you would need to have the cover back in place, cant see any reason why not but what do you think the noise might be? I have never heard of a diognosos by removing the clutch as they are quiet to start with

robracer wrote:Considering oil will be pumped into the clutch basket area you would need to have the cover back in place, cant see any reason why not but what do you think the noise might be? I have never heard of a diognosos by removing the clutch as they are quiet to start with

Something is noisy as hell until i engage a gear and get to the friction point on the clutch.

If i remove it there should be no noise (so to speak).

I'm also going to be checking the Cam Chain tensioner and the valve clearances at the same time.

sounds like clutch plates.

Wattie wrote:sounds like clutch plates.

Thats the reason why i want to remove the clutcch to see if its them that are casuing the noise.

Looks like it'll be a goer at the weekend then.

Just drop the oil, take off the clutch cover, and check for any wear on the clutch basket 'fingers' - you can see this wear.

What's may have happened is that the clutch basket rivets have become loose. This will cause a hell-noise.....

Gosling1 wrote:Just drop the oil, take off the clutch cover, and check for any wear on the clutch basket 'fingers' - you can see this wear.

What's may have happened is that the clutch basket rivets have become loose. This will cause a hell-noise.....

Cheers m8.

Are the plates meant to be tight to put in???

What are the chances i need a new clutch basket lol.

they should slide in or out off the clutch hub, pretty easily. But they have to be removed and replaced 'straight' off the basket. If they are tilted a bit as you pull them off, they can get stuck. They are generally a snug fit over the clutch hub, and between the 'fingers' of the clutch basket - any wear here can be seen if the fingers are not nice and straight. If the clutch plates (either the steel plates or the friction plates or both) are worn in this area, then they can wear grooves in the clutch basket fingers.

Is the noise a really deep sort of thumping rattle ?

Gosling1 wrote:they should slide in or out off the clutch hub, pretty easily. But they have to be removed and replaced 'straight' off the basket. If they are tilted a bit as you pull them off, they can get stuck. They are generally a snug fit over the clutch hub, and between the 'fingers' of the clutch basket - any wear here can be seen if the fingers are not nice and straight. If the clutch plates (either the steel plates or the friction plates or both) are worn in this area, then they can wear grooves in the clutch basket fingers.

Is the noise a really deep sort of thumping rattle ?

Its more like a bearing rattle if i'm honest, or at least thats what it sounds like to me.

I'll try and get a clip of the noise tomorrow

wullieb1 wrote:

Gosling1 wrote:they should slide in or out off the clutch hub, pretty easily. But they have to be removed and replaced 'straight' off the basket. If they are tilted a bit as you pull them off, they can get stuck. They are generally a snug fit over the clutch hub, and between the 'fingers' of the clutch basket - any wear here can be seen if the fingers are not nice and straight. If the clutch plates (either the steel plates or the friction plates or both) are worn in this area, then they can wear grooves in the clutch basket fingers.

Is the noise a really deep sort of thumping rattle ?

Its more like a bearing rattle if i'm honest, or at least thats what it sounds like to me.

I'll try and get a clip of the noise tomorrow

One thing i did notice when i had the clutch out before was that the flyweel??? (big metal plate behind the clutch basket) felt a bit loose and had a bit of movement in it.

thats the primary drive gear on the clutch basket mate - this is the bit that is riveted to the clutch basket.....if it is loose, and has a bit of movement in it......you may have some loose rivets. There is always a *very* small amount of freeplay though with these - if all you could feel was a tiny bit of back'n'forth movement, that is fine. If it was any more than that, you could be needing a new basket....

Some sounds will be good ...

Gosling1 wrote:thats the primary drive gear on the clutch basket mate - this is the bit that is riveted to the clutch basket.....if it is loose, and has a bit of movement in it......you may have some loose rivets. There is always a *very* small amount of freeplay though with these - if all you could feel was a tiny bit of back'n'forth movement, that is fine. If it was any more than that, you could be needing a new basket....

Some sounds will be good ...

Cheers again bud.

I'll get it out at the weekend and see how it feels.

Expect some pics lol.

+1 Gos
Worn basket fingers will have a chorderoy / ribbed appearance when you remove the frictions and steels. Very common on Spookies and Yamawhores if you like clutching the front up lots .. (or the previous owner -- ZX6?? hmmmm ) Worn fingers are normally indicated by clutch slip in 3rd/4th/5th in my experience .
Sounds like rivets or the brass bushing is flogged. Another check is the teeth on the primary drive - very easy to chip if someone has been a touch heavy handed and make a hell of a noise if they are damaged
Also check the oil pump drive/driven teeth ie Spookies - not sure if the same on the ZX6 though - Gos / S&W / M-K??

IsleofNinja wrote:...Also check the oil pump drive/driven teeth ie Spookies - not sure if the same on the ZX6 though - Gos / S&W / M-K??

not 100% sure about the oil-pump drive, although at a guess it is probably gear-driven off the crank/primary drive....

Removed the clutch plates yesterday and it does sound damn quieter.

Maybe as a start i'll replace the clutch plates. Hopefully the cheapest option.